📍 Rose Bowl, Los Angeles | 🗓 June 25, 2025
Monterrey produced a stunning first-half blitz to dismantle Japan’s Urawa Red Diamonds 4-0 in their final Group E game of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, booking a last-16 clash with Borussia Dortmund in Atlanta next week.
🧨 Quick-Fire Treble: The Game-Changing Phase
After a cagey opening 30 minutes, the game exploded into life as Rayados scored three goals in just eight minutes, flattening Urawa’s structure and confidence:
🔥 Goal Timeline:
- 30’ – Nelson Deossa: The Colombian midfielder unleashed a thunderous strike from 35 yards, the ball dipping and swerving past the Urawa keeper in a moment of individual brilliance.
- 34’ – German Berterame: Capitalizing on a loose clearance, the Argentine slotted home with clinical composure, finishing a slick one-two movement inside the box.
- 38’ – Jesus Corona: Arguably the pick of the goals — a curling screamer from 30 yards into the top corner, leaving the crowd stunned and Urawa deflated.
“We knew we needed intensity from the start. That 10-minute window was exactly what we prepared for,” said Monterrey coach Fernando Ortiz.
🎯 Tactical Breakdown
🟦 Monterrey (4-2-3-1):
- Deossa and Romulo Otero controlled the midfield tempo with short-passing precision and long-range threats.
- Full-backs Erick Aguirre and Gallardo bombed forward, overloading Urawa’s flanks.
- Jesus Corona, playing as a wide creator, was instrumental in transitions and pressing triggers.
🟥 Urawa’s Breakdown:
- Urawa’s 4-4-2 was static and easily outplayed once Monterrey raised tempo.
- Midfielders Koizumi and Ito were bypassed too easily, and the backline offered no coverage outside the box.
- Coach Per-Mathias Høgmo admitted, “We failed to reset after the first goal. Our defensive lines fell apart mentally and tactically.”
⚽ Second Half: Control and Clinical Closure
With a three-goal cushion, Monterrey controlled possession in the second half, keeping Urawa at bay with conservative passing and selective pressing. Urawa showed little attacking bite, managing just two shots on target all game.
In stoppage time, Berterame bagged his second with a sharp finish after a swift counterattack, sealing a comprehensive 4-0 win.
📊 Group E Final Standings:
| Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pts |
| —————— | – | – | – | – | — | — | — |
| Inter Milan | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 7 |
| Monterrey | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 6 |
| River Plate | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Urawa Red Diamonds | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
🗓️ What’s Next?
- Monterrey vs Borussia Dortmund
📍 Atlanta, Georgia
🗓️ Tuesday, July 1, 2025
A stern test awaits Monterrey as they face Bundesliga runners-up Dortmund, but with attacking form and momentum on their side, the Mexican club looks well-prepared to challenge European opposition.
🧠 Final Take
Monterrey’s aggression, long-range quality, and tactical discipline were the defining features of this performance. Urawa had no answers, and the result signals that Monterrey could be one of the tournament’s dark horses.
